5 Easy Steps to Make Your Skin Glow

TL;DR: This simple 5-step routine offers a framework for achieving a luminous, natural-looking glow by strategically using makeup to enhance your features. The core principle—less-is-more—can help create a radiant finish that looks like your skin, but better.

There’s no denying that glowing skin can turn heads no matter where you are. While highlighter is often the first product that comes to mind, there are plenty of other products and tricks you can use to get a naturally radiant glow. Below, find a five-step tutorial to get lustrous-looking skin in minutes.

Key Takeaways:

• Focus on Placement, Not Perfection: The key to a quick, glowing look is applying product only where you need it most. Focus blush on the apples of your cheeks and a touch of highlighter on the high points of your face for an efficient yet polished appearance.
• Prioritize Blending for a Seamless Finish: The most important step for a “less-is-more” aesthetic is blending. Ensure your foundation and concealer melt into the skin, so the finished look is seamless and enhances your complexion, rather than masking it.
• Simplify with Multi-Use Products: Streamline your routine by choosing versatile products (like a concealer that doubles as a highlighter or contour) to save time and minimize clutter.

Get Your Glow on with These 5 Steps

STEP 1: Create Dimension

To achieve a lit-from-within complexion, start by perfecting the art of contouring. Bring light to the center of the face by applying a cream concealer that’s one shade lighter than your skin tone to highlight the high points. The Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Eraser Multi-Use Concealer is a suitable option designed to conceal, contour, and correct. Then, take a concealer brush, like the IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Dual Airbrush Concealer Brush, and place the concealer in the middle of your forehead, down the center of your nose, along your brow bones, under your eyes and in the center of your face.

Continue creating dimension by using contouring makeup and a contouring brush to create an arc under your cheekbones to add more depth to the face. Barnes also routinely contours the sides of the nose and along the jawline and hairline. When choosing contouring makeup, go for a bronzer, powder or liquid foundation that is one shade darker than your natural skin tone—a subtle difference helps keep results looking natural rather than muddy. The L’Oréal Paris True Match Super Blendable Powder, is a suitable choice with its wide range of 25 shades.

STEP 2: Apply Foundation

After enhancing the dimension on your face, it’s time to layer on foundation. Lighter foundations (such as liquids or creams with a lightweight consistency) with luminosity can add glow without heaviness. One remarkable option for this is Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation. For best results, use a foundation brush in small circular motions to help makeup blend into skin’s natural oils rather than sitting on.

STEP 3: Add Color to Your Cheeks

Avoid trying to create contour with blush; instead, select a shade close to your natural flush and apply directly on the apples of your cheeks—not below cheekbones. When blending, make sure you start at the apples and blend upward toward your temples. This bit of flush can contribute to a glowing appearance. Consider NYX Professional Makeup Sweet Cheeks Cream Blush—it’s formulated to be buildable and to help create a natural-looking finish.

STEP 4: Add a Hint of Shimmer

Shimmer highlighter creates dimension by catching light on bone structure—but moderation is key. Whether using a cream or powder formula, less is more when it comes to application. Apply a highlighter, like the Valentino Beauty V-Lighter Face Highlighter, to the high points of your face — the middle of your forehead, down the center of your nose and along the tops of your cheekbones.

STEP 5: Set Your Glow

The finishing touch is setting spray—a crucial step for locking in makeup and enhancing luminosity. Urban Decay All Nighter Glow Waterproof Setting Spray, uses an ultra-fine mist to assist in blending creams and powders into one cohesive layer, and is designed to help extend makeup wear while contributing to a radiant finish.